We’re steadily requested if shoppers can work remotely on a short lived visa in New Zealand. That is an more and more fashionable possibility which presents the life-style benefits of New Zealand with out shedding abroad earnings.
Nevertheless there are some vital elements to think about.
The essential rule
Immigration New Zealand’s definition of “work” is any exercise undertaken in New Zealand for achieve or reward whether or not for a New Zealand firm or an abroad firm. It is a notably broad definition.
New Zealand will not be a really welcoming nation for digital nomads.
The 2 largest exclusions that shock most of our shoppers are customer visas and companion visas which require them to work for accredited employers. Immigration NZ have issued steering on companion visas. In case you work remotely on these visas you accomplish that at your personal threat. Immigration New Zealand could not turn into conscious of the work but when it does come to gentle you would be served with a deportation legal responsibility discover or simply be deemed a non-bona fide applicant which blocks you from additional purposes till a personality waiver is issued. It’s not well worth the threat. Get recommendation first. Contact us for help.
Can I work on my digital journey authority?
The brief reply is “no”. Your digital journey authority from a visa free nation is a customer visa and doesn’t allow work. Clearly checking the odd e-mail out of your workplace may be very minimal and unlikely to draw compliance consideration.
Who can undoubtedly work remotely?
Individuals holding an open work visa, together with :
- Companions of excessive expert (ANZSCO stage 1-3) or decrease expert however extremely paid (a minimum of $47.41 per hour) employees visa holders. There are additionally Inexperienced Record and trade particular exceptions.
- Companions of New Zealand residents or residents.
- Companions of masters or PhD scholar visa holders and a restricted vary of bachelor and graduate diploma scholar visa holders for occupations on the Inexperienced Record or in any other case exempt (we will advise additional on this).
- Submit examine work visa holders who’ve graduated at stage 7 or above.(usually bachelors or graduate diploma stage or above). Some scholar and graduate visas requirement work to be related to the qualification- these are not open work visas.
This isn’t an exhaustive listing.
Essential observe for companions of AEWV holders
Companions granted companion primarily based work visas from Could 2023 to mid-2024 have been restricted to work for accredited employers at medium wage. If their companion’s work visa software was submitted on or earlier than 26 June 2024, and the companion earns a minimum of a minimum of $25.29 per hour they will now apply for a variation of circumstances to open work circumstances. Contact us for extra info.
Who may be capable to work remotely
Enterprise customer visa holders who’ve come for the aim of buying equipment, advertising and marketing or different associated conferences that relate to their offshore enterprise.
It is a nice possibility when you have been planning to return to New Zealand brief time period, for particular conferences for advertising and marketing or purchases.
Nevertheless if the work progresses to a New Zealand primarily based employment settlement or contract that you must apply for an acceptable work visa
Particular goal work visa holders. This might embody these organising a brand new department in New Zealand or seconded to New Zealand Enterprise could have a part of all of their work below contract with an offshore firm. It is a uncared for possibility. That is splendid for particular tasks and the brief and medium time period. We have now a substantial amount of experience with this visa sort.
Scholar visas which have open work rights enable part-time work, normally as much as 20 hours per week and over the vacations. These are usually for larger stage programs.
What different type of visas do not enable distant work? (examples)
Accredited worker work visas which identify a particular New Zealand employer don’t allow any distant work. If you wish to be permitted to do some extra work, with the permission of your employer you would want to use for a job change. This must be solely a small variety of hours so that you just met the minimal 30 hours per week and your accredited employment
Entrepreneur work visas usually don’t allow offshore work besides when associated to the enterprise established in New Zealand. You’re anticipated to work full-time within the enterprise in New Zealand
These are just a few examples.
The data right here was present as at January 2025. Immigration guidelines change steadily and each state of affairs is totally different. The above examples usually are not exhaustive. Get recommendation particular to your case.
The group have had years of expertise and advising on these points. We shall be delighted to help you. Contact us in the present day.

